Tray for use with a tripod or similar structure

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is provided for holding objects at a convenient height on a device such as an equipment stand or a tripod. A tray with an opening is placed over a stand and lowered until the inner sides of the opening engage the sides of the stand. The tray and its opening can have different sizes and shapes, according to the type of stand, the intended use, and the objects to be held.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit and priority of pendingProvisional Application Ser. No. 60/189,117, filed Mar. 14, 2000, andincorporates the contents of same by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of trays andshelves. More particularly, the invention includes a portable tray foruse with a tripod or a similar portable stand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The need to hold or display objects upon a horizontal surface ata convenient height above the floor or ground level has spurred theinvention of a vast array of supportive devices, including tables,shelves, trays, and platforms.

[0004] There is a growing need for portable support devices such asequipment stands and tripods that are configured for temporary and easyassembly, separation, and storage. The increasing prevalence of suchportable support devices has created a concomitant need for detachableassemblies for holding, carrying, or displaying related or incidentalobjects. It is desirable for such assemblies to be configured fortemporary and easy attachment, removal, and storage.

[0005] Various trays and shelves configured to attach to devices such astables and stools are known in the art. One example of a shelf-likeapparatus is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,338,189 to Xavier entitled,“Portable Stool.” This reference describes a disc with an X-shapedcentral opening that rests upon matching shoulders cut into the legs ofa stool. This apparatus requires the construction of shoulders on thestool legs to accommodate the disc-shaped shelf.

[0006] Because of the variety of portable support devices in use, aswell as the variety of leg sizes and shapes for such devices, there is aneed for easily detachable assemblies that do not require specialconstruction or modification of the sides or legs of the support device.The design and creation of easily detachable assemblies involves avariety of technical challenges not encountered when designing a tray orshelf to be permanently attached to a stationary device or to a wall.Many devices currently in use are limited because of inadequatestructural support, improper or inconvenient elevation, lack ofuniversal fit among devices having only slight dimensional differences,unattractive appearance, and difficult or cumbersome installation anddisassembly.

[0007] Adequate support of any detachable assembly is critical to safeand proper installation because a collapse or failure may damageexpensive equipment or the objects being supported. Proper elevation isnecessary because the user is often working in close proximity to theportable support device and the user may need ready access to theobjects stored or held on the detachable assembly.

[0008] Easy installation and removal of a detachable assembly isimportant because a portable support device such as an equipment standor tripod is, by its very nature, used in an environment whereportability is paramount and items need to be assembled, disassembled,moved, and re-assembled quickly, often, and usually without tools.

[0009] Thus, there remains a need for an apparatus for holding objectsat a convenient height on a variety of portable support devices such asequipment stands or tripods. There is a further need for such anapparatus that is portable and configured to permit quick and easyattachment and removal on a stand of any shape or size. Such anapparatus should accomplish these goals in a reliable, durable,attractive, low-maintenance, and cost-effective manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The above and other needs are met by the present invention which,in one embodiment, provides a portable and readily-attachable apparatusfor holding objects at a convenient height on a portable support devicesuch as an equipment stand or a tripod.

[0011] In one aspect of the invention, the inventive apparatus comprisesa tray with an opening of sufficient size to fit over the top of anequipment stand or tripod. The inner side of the opening rests againstthe stand or tripod, thus creating a shelf for holding objects. In onepreferred embodiment, the tray is substantially flat. The tray mayinclude a low rim. The tray may also include a textured surface.

[0012] In another aspect of the invention, the tray is held at a fixedangle when placed on the stand or tripod; usually horizontally, but notnecessarily, because certain users may prefer a tray shaped to rest at anon-horizontal angle. Similarly, in another aspect of the invention, theopening is generally made through the center of the tray, but notnecessarily. A particular use may make an eccentric opening preferable.It should be understood that a tray of any size and shape can be usedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0013] In an important aspect of the invention, the tray rests freelyagainst the stand or tripod under its own weight, without fasteners ofany kind, such that it may be freely lifted off the stand or tripod.

[0014] The stand or tripod generally has one or more sides capable ofsupporting the tray of the present invention. In another aspect of theinvention, the stand or tripod includes a plurality of sides or legsthat taper upwardly like a pyramid toward an apex. The angle of thesides or legs depends upon the particular size and shape of the stand ortripod. In the case of a tripod, the angular orientation of the legswill depend upon the height of the tripod and, of course, the number oflegs. In one preferred embodiment, the inner side of the tray opening isshaped and aligned to fit closely against the angled legs of a tripod.

[0015] It is a principal object of the present invention to provide aportable tray for holding objects at a convenient height that is easy toplace upon a portable support device such as an equipment stand or atripod, and easy to remove.

[0016] It is a further object of this invention to provide a tray forholding objects on a stable, flat surface surrounding the legs of aportable support device such as an equipment stand or a tripod.

[0017] It is another object of this invention to provide a tray with anopening that is shaped to fit a wide variety of portable support devicessuch as equipment stands and tripods having sides or legs of differentshapes and sizes.

[0018] These and other objects are accomplished by the method disclosedand will become apparent from the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich like numerals designate like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a tripod stand 10 and a tray 20resting thereupon. The tripod stand 10 is configured to support anobject such as a mannequin head which may be used to support a wig orother similar object in order to provide ready access to same for thepurposes of training or the like.

[0020]FIG. 2 is an isolated pictorial view of the tray 20, showing thesupport surface 21 which surrounds a through hole 23 which itselfincludes radially-extending leg slots 26 which accept the legs of thetripod stand.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a partial, more detailed pictorial view of the tray 20,in comparison to FIG. 2. This view shows in more detail the inner lip 31which is extends continuously around the through hole 23 and includes aplurality of inclined planar support surface portions 29, one of whichis shown in FIG. 3.

[0022]FIG. 4 illustrates the placement of the tray 20 on a tripod stand10 from an uninstalled position to an installed position (installedposition is shown in dotted line).

[0023]FIG. 5A shows the general shape of the opening 30 through the tray20 according to one embodiment of the invention which is shown in FIGS.1-4.

[0024]FIG. 5B shows the general shape of an alternate opening 130through and alternate tray 120 according to an alternate embodiment ofthe invention, which is configured with leg slots 126 for tripods withround legs, and includes an inclined curved support surface.

[0025]FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment which includes a curvedinclined surface 600 which is shown against an outwardly-facing inclinedsurface of a typical tripod leg 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] Reference is now made to the figures, in which like elementsindicate like elements throughout the several views. It should beunderstood that such orientational terms such as “upwardly”“downwardly”, horizontal, etc., are used for the sake of explanation andshould not be construed as limiting. Such terms are used to describe theinvention in one of its commonly oriented uses.

[0027] General Construction and Operation

[0028] In general reference to all of the Figures, generally describedthe tray 20 according to one embodiment of the invention includes a mainhorizontal supporting surface 21 which is defined by an outer edge fromwhich an outer lip 22 extends upwardly, and also is defined by an inneredge defining a through hole 23 from which an upwardly extending innerlip 31 extends. Inclined portions of the upwardly extending inner lip 31act as supporting surfaces 29, which in one embodiment are inclined andare configured to rest in substantial surface contact with legs 11 of atripod stand 10.

[0029] More Detailed Discussion

[0030] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a pictorial view of atripod stand 10 and a tray 20 resting thereupon. The tripod stand 10 isconfigured to support an object such as a mannequin head 12 (shown inphantom) which may be used to support a wig or other similar object inorder to provide ready access to same for the purposes of training orthe like. In use, the tripod stand 10 may support a variety of objects.The tripod stand includes a plurality of legs 11 for support.

[0031] The Through Hole

[0032] Referring now also to FIGS. 2 and 3, the opening 30 extendscompletely through the tray 20 and has its own inner lip 31 to retainitems from sliding off the tray surface 21. The through hole 23 itselfincludes leg slots 26, which accept the legs of the tripod stand asdiscussed in later detail. The inner lip 31 extends continuouslyupwardly from the edge of the through hole 23.

[0033] In one preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 5A, theopening 30 has a generally triangular central portion with threegenerally rectangular leg slots 26 corresponding to the legs of astandard tripod having legs with rectangular transverse cross sections.

[0034] The Tray Surface and Its Inner and Outer Lips

[0035] As noted above, the tray surface 21 surrounds the through hole 23which itself includes leg slots 26 which accept the legs of the tripodstand. Reference is now particularly made to FIG. 3, which is a partial,more detailed pictorial view of the tray 20, in comparison to FIG. 2.This view shows in more detail the inner lip 31 which extendscontinuously around the through hole 23, and includes an inclined planarsupport surface portion 29. This lip extends to a height deemed suitablefor keeping objects from sliding off the tray 10.

[0036] The Leg Slots and the Inclined Support Surface Portions

[0037] As noted above, the tray 20 includes a tray surface 21 whichsurrounds a through hole 23 which itself includes leg slots 26 whichaccept the legs of a tripod stand. As may be understood, these leg slots26 accept at least a portion of the cross-section of corresponding legs11 of the tripod stand 10. In practice, all of these leg slots 26 restupon all the sides of the legs of the tripod stand 10 as discussed inlater detail.

[0038] The embodiment shown in FIG. 5A includes leg slots 26 shaped tofit around the legs or sides of a tripod stand 10 which have outersurfaces that are generally rectangular in shape. This embodiment would,for example, accommodate the square legs of a tripod. However, it willbe readily understood by one skilled in the art that the opening 30 canbe made in any shape that is capable of engaging the sides or legs ofthe tripod stand 10 in use. An example of such an accommodation is shownin FIG. 5B, which can be used with a tripod with round legs. Theinclined support surface portions of the tray in this embodiment couldbe understood to be cylindrically shaped in order to engagecorresponding outer inclined cylindrical surfaces of the legs of thetripod, such that substantially surface-to-surface “cradling”-typecontact is at least approximated.

[0039] Installation and Removal

[0040]FIG. 4 illustrates the two main steps involved in the placement ofthe tray 20 on a tripod stand 10. Removal of the tray is accomplished byfollowing the two steps in reverse. In one preferred embodiment, thetray 20 is releasably supported upon the tripod stand 10, without anyfasteners or attachment, allowing the tray 20 to be lifted free of thetripod stand 10 for quick and easy portability.

[0041] Second Embodiment

[0042] As noted above, FIG. 5A shows the general shape of the opening 30through the tray 20 according to one embodiment of the invention whichis shown in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 5B shows the general shape of an alternateopening 130 through an alternate tray 120 according to an alternateembodiment of the invention, which is configured with leg slots 126 fortripods with round legs. This alternate tray 120 has an inner lip whichincludes an inclined partial cylindrical support surface, which cradlesa round-legged tripod as discussed below while still including a gapwide enough to allow the leg to be inserted and removed.

[0043] As noted above, each of the inclined planar support surfaceportions 29 of the tray 20 should be understood to engage an outerinclined surface of a corresponding one of the rectangularcross-sectioned legs of the tripod 10, such that substantially planarcontact with the legs is at least approximated. However, in the instanceof the FIG. 5B embodiment, the generally cylindrical nature of theinclined partial cylindrical support surface of the second embodimenttray 120 provides for more of a cylindrical “cradling” desired effect inwhich the outer cylindrical surface of the tray leg conducts orapproached cylindrical contact with the inclined partial cylindricalsupport surface of the second embodiment tray 120.

[0044] Other Alternative Embodiments

[0045] It should be understood that a stand which has more (or ifpossible less) than three legs could also be used with an adaptation ofthe present invention.

[0046] The edge of the tray is circular in this example although othershapes are contemplated.

[0047] In one preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the tray 20is generally round in shape. It will be readily understood by oneskilled in the art that the tray 20 can be made in any shape that isparticularly useful for the intended purpose and setting. For example,the tray 20 could be generally triangular to fit closely against thelegs of a tripod, or generally large and square to provide lots ofspace, or generally free-form and of no particular geometric shape atall.

[0048] It should also be understood that in the embodiments shown in thefigures, the opening is positioned through the center of the tray,although it will be readily understood by one skilled in the art thatthe tray can be configured to provide stable support without centeringthe opening.

[0049] The tray surface 21 of the tray 10 is generally flat, although itmay be smooth or textured or otherwise tailored to the particular useintended. For example, it can include upwardly-directed ordownwardly-directed dimples as desired or could include slots or otherfeatures as desired.

[0050] It will be further understood that the inner side 40 may or maynot include a flange 50, another shaped surface, or simply a plain edge;as long as the inner side 40 is capable of supporting the load on thetray 10. However, the use of continuous inner and outer lips provide adesired containment effect should liquid spills occur, and the use ofsupporting surfaces are thought to provide improved surface contact withthe tripod legs.

[0051] It should also be understood that the invention contemplates theuse of inclined support surfaces in place of elements 29 which are notplanar, but are curved to accommodate different slopes of differingtripod designs. Such curves could be about an axis which is parallel tothe supporting tray surface 21 as well as perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the particular elongate tripod leg, as shown inFIG. 6.

[0052] Conclusion

[0053] It will be appreciated that the present invention provides aportable and readily-attachable apparatus for holding objects at aconvenient height on a portable support device such as an equipmentstand or a tripod.

[0054] Although the invention has been described in terms of onepreferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat additions, substitutions, modifications, and deletions notspecifically described may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined in the claims.

1. A tray apparatus for use with a generally upwardly-oriented stand and for providing support to items placed thereon, said tray apparatus when in its installed position comprising: an item support surface defining an outer peripheral edge and also defining a hole therethrough defined by an inner peripheral edge; a substantially continuous inner lip extending upwardly from said inner peripheral edge; and a substantially continuous outer lip extending upwardly from said outer peripheral edge of said item support surface, said through hole being sized to fit partially over said stand so as to engage and be supported by said stand, such that said item support surface is substantially horizontal.
 2. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 1 above, wherein said tray is comprised of a unitary design.
 3. A tray apparatus for use with a generally upwardly-oriented tripod stand and for providing support to items placed thereon, said tray apparatus when in its installed position comprising: an item support surface defining an outer peripheral edge and also defining a hole therethrough defined by an inner peripheral edge; and a plurality of inclined support surface portions extending from said inner peripheral edge and each configured to contact a corresponding one of said legs, such that said plurality of inclined support portions combine to support said tray apparatus atop said tripod as said tripod extends partially through said hole defined by said inner peripheral edge.
 4. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said tray is comprised of a unitary design.
 5. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said inclined support surface portions are substantially planar.
 6. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said inclined support surface portions are curved.
 7. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said inclined support surface portions are substantially planar.
 8. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said inclined support surface portions are curved.
 9. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said substantially continuous upper lip extends substantially at a right angle upwardly from said inner peripheral edge with the exception of said inclined support surface portions.
 10. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said tray is comprised of a unitary design.
 11. A tray apparatus for use with a generally upwardly-oriented stand and for providing support to items placed thereon, said tray apparatus when in its installed position comprising: an item support surface defining an outer peripheral edge and also defining a hole therethrough defined by an inner peripheral edge; a substantially continuous inner lip extending upwardly from said inner peripheral edge and including a plurality of inclined support surface portions extending from said inner peripheral edge and each configured to contact a corresponding one of said legs; and a substantially continuous outer lip extending upwardly from said outer peripheral edge of said item support surface, such that said plurality of inclined support portions combine to support said tray apparatus atop said tripod as said tripod extends partially through said hole defined by said inner peripheral edge such that said item support surface is substantially horizontal.
 12. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said tray is comprised of a unitary design.
 13. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said inclined support surface portions are substantially planar.
 14. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said inclined support surface portions are curved.
 15. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said inclined support surface portions are substantially planar.
 16. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said inclined support surface portions are curved.
 17. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said substantially continuous upper lip extends substantially at a right angle upwardly from said inner peripheral edge with the exception of said inclined support surface portions.
 18. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said tray is comprised of a unitary design.
 19. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said inclined support surface portions are curved about an inclines axis parallel to the corresponding legs of the tripod, such that improved contact is provided with a round tripod leg.
 20. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said inclined support surface portions are curved about. 